'The level of Russian military expenditure is of current interest in the context of the on-going conflict over Nato's expansion towards the East in particular. Russia's development as a military power in the medium and long term and, as a result, its international weight depends on the provision of sufficient resources. Unfortunately, only scanty and unreliable information is available concerning the quantity and structure of Russian military expenditure. The following report undertakes to compile the available data and examine whether it can reveal any trends.' (author's abstract)